Die



- April 7, 1942.

L. G. FREEMAN, JR

DIE

Filed Oct. 18, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet l 1001-5 FREEMflAjw/g a W s VEMM Grumman;

April 7, 1942. L. G; FREEMAN, JR

' DIE Filed Oct. 18, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 v WW April 7, 1942. ca. FREEMAN, JR

DIE

Filed Oct. 18, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 4 0015 a. Fast-"I'm; .1:

QMMWE April 1.942. L. G. FREEMAN, JR 7 2,278,542 I DIE Filed Oct. 18, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 t r W.

L 0015 GJ'HEEMHMJ):

April 7,1942. L. e. FREEMAN,'JR 2 DIE I Filed Oct. 18, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 mum 'gether of several shoe parts.

Patented Apr. 7, 1942 DIE Louis G. Freeman, Jr., Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Louis G. Freeman Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 18, 1938, Serial No. 235,672

20 Claims. (c1.1o1 s) This invention relates to shoe machinery, and more particularly to improvements in dies for use in ornamenting shoe uppers and shoe parts by the formation of cut-outs or perforations in portions thereof, and also by the application of printed markings.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention is a type of die adapted for operations upon skins, upper blanks, fitted or closed uppers and the like, in which the work is marked with ink or pigment at the same time, or as a part of the cycle of operations, during which the work is also ornamented by the perforating or cutting out of a design or ornamental opening therein.

The markings applied to the work may take the form of permanent ornamentation such as simulated stitching, or patterns or may consist of guide lines to aid in subsequent operations upon the work, e. g. to indicate the location for a line of stitching, or to assist in the fittingto- Preferably, the marking and perforating or cutting will be performed in a single machine operationp '1 Specifically, this invention relates to improvements in dies of the general'type disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 104,696, filed Oct. 8, 1936, now Patent No. 2,183,038, dated December 12, 1939, which dies are especially adaptable for use in the type of machine described and claimed in the co-pending application of Benjamin W. Freeman, Serial No. 200,217, filed April 5, 1938.

With many types of work, the pressure requirements for ornamenting and for stripping the Work from the cutting elements of the die are very heavy, and machines referred to in said applications are particularly designed to meet such requirements, particularly with relationto the stripping of the work from the die.

Conventional strippers include some mechanism directly associated with the die unit, such as a stripper plate mounted on springs which serve normally to maintain the stripper plate in a position slightly in advance of the cutting edges of the die, and to restore the plate to such position during a stripping operation. The spring pressure must be so adjusted as to accommodate varying thickness of leather or material upon which the die is working, and difliculties may arise in this connection, especially when marking edges are placed upon the stripper. Thus, if the spring pressure is adjusted to mark and properly strip a light piece of calf skin, it would probably injure a thicker orheavier piece of leather. Obviously, when the material is thick, the stripper will be depressed more by the material than would be the case with thin leather.

Varying pressures are required with different characters of leather, as well aswith difi'erent thicknesses, and as the number of cut outs or perforations in a piece of work is increased, the need for greater pressure likewise'increases, and such pressures are very difiicult of attainment, if not impossible, with conventional stripping devices now in use.

In the solution of these problems, the machine and dies of said applications, and the die of the present application, contemplate a stripping mechanism, wherein the pressure is applied by means independent of the die, or by means independent of any arrangement for applying a light printing or marking pressure to the marking elements.

'As illustrated in the machine of the aforesaid applications, the pressure for stripping purposes .is obtained by building a pressure applying mechanism for stripping purposes into the machine,

as distinguished from supplying each individual die with a self-contained complete stripping mechanism. The usual stripper plate mounted in advance of the cutting edges, may be retained on the die, and this plate may be provided with marking edges thereon, or a stripping medium separate from the die may be provided, and marking means independent thereof supplied; in fact, the die may incorporate separate-stripping and marking media, all mounted in the die unit.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of a die with a structural design to co-operate with a pressure applying mechanism built into the machine, and with a stripper plate yieldably mounted for normal location in advance of the cutting edges of the die, but with a mounting of such a nature that little or no pressure will be exerted on the plate, and hence on the work until the mainstripping pressure is applied.

In repairing or replacing cutter members, stripper plates, and the like, considerable time and the use of tools is usually required, and it is another object of this invention to improve the construction of dies such that the stripper may be rapidly detached from the die without the use of tools.

It is a further object to provide for rapid detachment, not only of the stripper plate but of the cutter or tube plate, thus providing ready access to any part of the structure without the use of tools, at a minimum expenditure of time, and also to facilitate repair and replacement of the several elements.

To these ends, a novel mounting for the stripper is utilized, in which a quickly detachable snap connection is provided between the stripper plate and its supporting studs, the supporting studs being mounted in the base of the die separately and independently of the stripper.

The tube plate is arranged to be firmly latched to the base of the die, but in such a manner as to permit quick release.

A problem arises in the use of these dies, due to the fact that the work varies in size for a given run. Shoe parts are graded in accordance with the desired size of finished shoes, and because of the fact that the die must be fixed in predetermined relation to the work, it is evident that as the size of the work varies, the balanced relation between the ornamentation and the work will be upset, and out of proportion, unless some means is provided to accommodate the die to the work.

Again, the situation might arise wherein it is desired to use the same die on work of different shapes, even though the size of the shoes may remain constant, and under such circumstances, the position or location of the ornamentation on the work might vary.

Some shoe manufacturers have attempted to overcome these difficulties by employing a plurality of dies, one for an early portion of the run of graded work, and another for a later portion thereof, or one die for one style or shape of work, and a difierent die for another style work piece.

This, however, places a burden on the manufacturer of keeping a number of dies on hand, with the attendant increase in the cost of the shoe.

Other efforts to properly locate the perforations or cutouts in the work have been attempted by the use of gauges which are adjustable to the machine, by equipping dies with adjustable gauges, and by making the dies themselves adjustable. The various methods may be satisfactory in some instances, where stripping pressures are obtained from within the die itself, and exact positioning of the die in the machine is of small moment, other than the need for alignment of the die to the workpiece, but in the present instance -the die will bear a peculiar coordination with the machine, in order that the stripping pressures, obtained from movable parts of the machine, may be accurately and adequately applied to the proper parts of the die, and if the die is made adjustable, or with any portion shiftable with respect to the die support of the machine, there is danger, with conventional adjustable dies, that the pressure mechanism will not properly function, and breakage may result.

It is then an important object of the present invention to provide a simple means of adjusting a die of the type described, but in which the adjustment can be effected, and the desired results obtained, without in any manner detracting from the capabilities and advantageous features heretofore mentioned.

The die described is constructed and operated on principles somewhat similar to the die disclosed and claimed in my application, Serial No.

104,696, in that it has a relatively fixed section and a section adjustable with respect to the fixed section for accommodating the various shapes and sizes. In addition, the various die sections, including supporting framework, posts, and base plate, are completely removable and interchangef able with respect to a master die having a base plate upon which the parts will be mounted.

It is customary in certain shoe factories to make shoes from the same pattern for several seasons, but with a change in the perforating and/or stitch marking designs, the idea being to produce different shoe styles without changing the base patterns, and another object contemplated by the instant invention is the provision of a master die unit in which parts may be interchanged or replaced to produce the different designs. By the addition of new adjustable sections, different style shoes can be obtained, using the old base patterns of the master unit.

It is a further contemplated that this master die will be adaptable to a plurality of different, interchangeable base patterns, and if under such circumstances where several base patterns are used, the fixed section of the die may be made removable for replacement by a different fixed section which would conform to a different base pattern of the shoe.

The fixed sections may be attached to the master base plate by means of locking levers, and dowel pins to locate the sections in their exact positions, but are readily removable and interchangeable, as in the case of the adjustable sections, to take care of different styles, sizes and shapes of shoe patterns. The movable sections are likewise readily removable by means of locating levers and dowel pins so that they likewise may be quickly changed.

Gauging means for locating the work and aligning the work on a work support with respect to the die are conventionally used, and this gauging means may take the form of edge gauges, masks, pins, or the like. For purposes of illustration herein, a master work supporting, gauge plate having an edge gauge thereon, is shown and described.

When one of the die sections is substituted for another section, or when a different shape or type of work is to be treated from that of a previous run, it is then necessary to substitute another gauge which will conform to the new pattern. This heretofore would necessitate the maintenance of a series of gauges, and the same general objection arises as would be the case with the maintenance of a series of different dies.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a gauging means which can be adjusted and provided with interchangeable gauging elements for use in conjunction with the master die, and cooperate fully therewith. In the illustrated embodiment, a master gauge plate to be used in conjunction with a master die is shown and described, this master plate being provided with interchangeable and quickly removable edge gauging means. It is so constructed that any gauges that are made for the plate will fit and conform accurately to the fixed section on the master die. As a mode of attaching the gauge, the plate may utilize two fixed lugs, and a third lug removable by means of an eccentric, and the gauge may be notched or recessed such that when it is in its proper location, the lugs and the recesses will fit accurately, and the gauge located in accurate position.

By moving the eccentric and the movable lug, such lug may be positioned in or out of its respective recess. A clamp may be attached to the two fixed lugs, in order to keep the gauge from moving upwardly or away from the gauge plate, the gauge being inserted under the clamps when they are pushed into their proper position.

The gauge plate will, of course, be provided with a conventional opening to permit passage of the cutting elements of the die therethrough, and this opening may be of an area sufficient to engage any and all types of designs.

To the attainment of the foregoing, and other objects which will appear as the description proceeds, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the die and gauge plate in assembled relation.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the die taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but with the marking elements of the die removed.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of Fi 2.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 'l'! of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a plan View of a detail.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the gauge plate with the gauge removed.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the edge gauge, and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged View of the latch for securing the edge gauge to the gauge plate.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts, it will be seen that such parts of the machine as are necessary to show the operation of the die, have been illustrated.

The die carriage A which houses the mechanism for applying stripping pressures, carries die unit B, in operative relation to the work support C. The die carriage A is in the form of a hollow block reinforced internally by struts l5, any desired number of which may be utilized. Extending transversely of the interior of the carriage is a pressure plate IS, the ends of which project laterally through the side Walls of the die carriage A, which are cut away to permit movement of this plate up and down within the carriage. This plate [6 carries a series of headed studs I! on its lower side and these Studs ride in suitable open guideways in the heavy base block l8 of the die carriage. A series of heavy springs I 9 are located between the upper side of the plate l6 and the inner side of the top wall of the housing or carriage A, these springs being normally tensioned to maintain the plate IS in such a position that the ends of the studs I! are substantially flush with the bottom, outer surface of the block 6) are positioned to engage the extending ends of the plate l6 as the plunger or work support rises, preferably at each corner thereof, thereby raising the plate against the resistance of the springs l9, and at the same time lifting the studs l1 upwardly within their guides. These posts 20 may be adjusted, as to height, for the purpose of regulating the movement of the plate l6, this adjustment affording a means of controlling the compression of the springs 19, and hence the downward pressure applied to the plate H5.

The posts may be rubber-surfaced if desired, to minimize shock-upon engagement of the plate l6 and if desired, may be connected across the ends of the work support C by bars 2 I.

The die unit B, in the form illustrated, comprises a base plate 22, by means of which the unit is secured to the base block l8 of the die carriage. Lugs 23 may be provided to guide the die, and to prevent springing of the die when in use. A dovetail wedge 24 and an upstanding perforated lug or ear 25 may be utilized on the plate 22 (Figs. 2 and 6) to cooperate with suitable locking means (not shown) on the base l8, and thereby be accurately positioned and secured in the machine.

The die unit B is composed of two major sections, one of which D, is mounted in fixed relationship to the plate 22, and the other of which E, is mounted for sliding movement on the plate 22, being carried by a sub-base plate slidable in guides 26. With this arrangement, as hereinafter described, position of the section E may be varied with respect to the fixed section D.

I The section D, as illustrated, comprises a die block 21 (Fig. 7) secured to a plate 29 by means of struts or sleeves 28. A single block might well be used in lieu of the plates 21 and 29, but for economy in manufacture, reduction in weight, as well as facility in adjusting or varying the height of the die unit, the spaced plates are preferable. This die in the illustrated embodiment does not carry any perforating tubes or cutters, but might readily do so by the addition thereto of a tube or butter plate in the same manner as is illustrated in the die section E.

The die unit D is detachably mounted upon the base plate 22-a pair of latches 30 being provided for the purpose. These latches consist of pivoted L-shaped arms, one end 3| of which is adapted to snap over an end of the plate 29, the latches being mounted upon the base plate 22.

A marking die consisting of a plate 34 carrying printing or marking ribs is resiliently mounted in the die unit D by means of studs 36 which slide through the plates 21, 29 and 22, the marker 34 being normally projected away from the plate 21 by meansof springs 31 which encircle the studs 36 between the plates 2'! and 29. The ends of the studs 36 which engage the marker 34 are split to form snap fasteners, whereby the marker may be quickly detached from the die unit. The operation of the die unit thus far described will be readily apparent from the foregoing description. When the die unit is secured in operating position on the plate 22, and the plate locked in positionon the base I8 of the die carriage, the location of the inner ends of the pins or studs 36 will be such that they are opposed to the outer ends of the guides for the pressure studs I1, the latter being of much greater cross-sectional areathan the pins 36 and so distributed throughout the base l8 as to permit, a wide leeway to the die-maker in locating the pins or studs 36.

As the studs I! move upwardly or away from thedie because of pressure against the plate l6, during the upward movement of the work support plunger C and posts 20, clearance will be afforded beneath the heads of the studs IT for the upper ends of the pins 36 on the marker 34. Little or no pressure is required for marking, and consequently when there is relative movementbetween the plunger C and the die carriage A toward each other, the marking elements 35 will touch the work lightly, yielding toward the cutting elements under continued pressure. It will be understood, that when a marking medium such as ink is used, it will have been applied to the marking elements at a proper point in the cycle of operations, and it will be further understood that the springs 31 are made relatively light in strength such as to offer substantially no resistance to the work during the movement between the work support and die.

The springs 31 are, of course, much lighter than the springs l9, being designed primarily to provide merely the requisite pressure for proper printing or marking without mutilating or otherwise injuring the work, whereas the springs I9 are designed to provide the pressure necessary to strip the work from cutting elements of the die.

After an ornamenting operation has been performed on the work, the work support C and carriage A separate, whereupon the springs I9 will push the plate l6 and studs l! toward the die unit and against the projecting ends of the pins 38 thereby causing the marker to assist in stripping the work from the die E, if this is thought desirable. If not desirable, the length of the pins 36 can be made such as never to engage the studs I'l.

Since the die section D is detachable from the base plat 22, it may be replaced with any other die section offering a change in pattern.

The arrangement thus far described works very satisfactorily for a given portion of a run of shoes, but when it is desired to make one die accommodate all sizes of a, run, it is necessary that som adjustments between various portions of the die be provided.

To this end the adjustable die section E is provided. This section is quite similar in struc ture to the die section D, except that cutting means have been provided in addition to a marking means, and the entire section is mounted upon a sub-base plate 38 for sliding movement on die carriage A. A cutter or tube plate 40 in this section, carrying appropriate tubes and/or cutters 42, is detachably mounted on the die block 39, suitable guide pins being provided to insure accurat placement thereof. As a convenient mode of attaching the tube plate, latches 4| similar to the latches 30 will be pivoted to the die block 39 to snap over the edges of the tube plate 40. With this arrangement the tube plate can be removed from its die section.

The die block 39 of the unit E will be suitably perforated beneath the tubes or cutting members i 42 to permit discharge of chips or cuttings. In addition to the detachability of the tube plate from the die section E, the section itself is also mounted for detachment from the base plate 22. But it must also be mounted for sliding movement on the base plate and to this end the subbase plate 38, arranged to slide in the guides 26 is interposed between the base plate 22 and the plate 44 which forms the bottom wall of the die section.

The die section E in its entirety is latched to the sub-base plate 38 by means of latches 43 pivoted on the sub-base plate 38 in position to snap or swing over the ends of the plate 44 which corresponds to the plate 29 of the unit D. This plate, as in the unit D, is secured to its die block 39 by sleeves or struts 45.

A combined marking die and stripper plate consisting of a plate 46 having marking ribs 41 is resiliently mounted in the die section by slidable pins or studs 48 which are resiliently mounted, and split at their ends for detachment of the plate 46, just as in the case of the plate 34. This plate operates in the same manner as the marker 34, except that after the marking ribs 41 have engaged the work, the marking operation will be followed by the cutting out step as further relative movement occurs between the work support and die. Stripping of the work from the tubes 42 will be effected by the studs l1 engaging the pins 48 under pressure of the springs 19 and pressure plate l6.

To adjust the section E toward and from the section D, there is provided a crank handle 49 pivotally mounted on the base plate 22 and having its ofiset inner end pivoted to a link 50 which in turn is pivoted to the sub-base plate 38. Mounted upon the front or outer edge of the base plate 22 is an arcuate end piece 5| which may be calibrated in shoe sizes and notched along its edge to correspond with the calibrations. The crank 49 carries a resilient detent or spring pressed pawl 52 cooperative with the notches in the end piece. Movement of the crank about the end piece will be effective to push or pull the die section E along the guideways 26, whereupon the proper adjustment may be made between the sections E and D to accommodate the desired section of the work.

No matter how much leeway is afforded the die-maker by the relative difierence in cross-sectional area between the studs I! and the pins 3648, if one portion of a die is moved with relation to a fixed portion as in the case of the relative movement between the sections D and E there might be still some chance that the pins 3648 would strike a solid part of the block l8, with resultant breakage, or unsatisfactory operation, unless steps were taken to care for the problem. It is for this reason that the base plate 22 is always mounted in fixed relation to the die carriage, and the die section E is made adjustable on the fixed base plate, by use of the sub-base plate.

The base plate 22 and the sub-base plate 38 are of course perforated to permit passage of the studs 36 and 48 into the base block [8 beneath the pressure applying studs l1. Since the base plate 22 will always bear a fixed relation to the die carriage, when the die is in the machine, it is possible to make the perforations 55 thereof of such a size and in such a location that they will always extend across the pressure studs ll which are required for any given die. The perforations 56 in the sub-base plate 38 will be so pro portioned and positioned as to extend at least partially across the perforations 5B in all positions of adjustment of the die. This insures passage of the studs 36 and 48 through th plates 22 and 38, and into the base block H3 at points only where sufficient clearance is provided.

The sub-base plate 38 is provided with a notch 51 shaped and proportioned for free operation of the lever 49 and link 50 therewithin. After adjustment, the operation of the section E is of course the same as, and simultaneous with that of section D, the marking and stripping plate 46 co-operating with the cutting means 42.

It is, of course, essential that some means be provided for accurately locating the work with respect to the die, and to this end, it is conventional to equip the die unit, or the work support with gauging means, which may take any of a variety of forms, such as masks with gauging edges, abutment gauges, pin gauges, or the like. In the present instance, an edge gauge of the abutment type, mounted on the work support is illustrated.

When several designs are interchangeably used with a single base pattern, as heretofore described, the same gauge can be used, so long as only the movable section of the die is replaced. However, when the fixed section is removed and replaced with a difierent fixed section which would conform to a different base pattern, then it is necessary to substitute another gauge which would conform to the new pattern, and in order to avoid the need for a plurality of work supporting plates each with its own gauge, it is an-.-

other feature of this invention to provide a master gauge plate to be used in conjunction with the master die, but so constructed that the gauging portions may be changed to fit and conform accurately with the various interchangeable, fixed sections for the master die.

To this end, there is provided a master gauge and work supporting plate 60 which will be mounted on the work supporting plunger C. Suitably located means such as dowel pins, or their equivalent, are usually provided on the plunger and the plate 60 will be perforated, as at El, for the reception thereof. The plate 60 will be provided with an opening 62 in a conventional manner to permit passage of the cutting edges of the die therethrough, it being understood that the plunger C may be surfaced beneath the plate in a conventional manner with a material softer than the cutters, such as brass, and that the usual backing material will be fed beneath the plate 60 and opening 62 to insure a clean perforation, as well as protect and prevent dulling of the cutting edges. Also a spring clip 63 may be provided to clamp or hold the work accurately in its aligned position.

The gauge proper comprises an abutment member 64 having a gauging edge 65 shaped to conform to an edge' of the work which'is being treated, and a shoulder 66 of a height equal to the thickness of the plate 50 to insure that the gauge rests flush within the opening 62. This shoulder may be formed by riveting a separate piece of the material from which the plate 60 is made to the under side of the abutment member 64, as indicated by the rivets 61, or the shoulder 66 may be formed'by machining. The abutment member 64 may be detachably secured to the master plate 60 by anyconvenient means which will permit quick detachability. As illustrated, two fixed lugs 68 and 69, provided with projections l9 and H, are rigidly secured to the plate 60, and the abutment member 64 is notched, as at 12 and 13, to mate with the projections. A spring controlled bar 14 movable by an eccentric 15 in opposition to a spring 11, which is housed together with the bar 14 in a housing 80, is also mounted on the plate 60 substantially in opposed relation to the fixed projection 10, and the abutment member 64 is notched, as at 16, to receive the end of the bar when same is actuated against the pressure of the spring 11 into engagement with the abutment member. It will thus be seen that the projections and H, together with the bar M serve to secure the abutment gauge against sliding movement in any direction. Spring fingers l8 and 19 mounted on the lugs 68 and 69 are effective to hold the abutment gauge against the master plate-60. 1

To apply the gauge to the plate, it is merely necessary to release the bar 14 and slide the gauge beneath the spring fingers l8 and 19, whereupon a flick of the eccentric 15 will lock it in place;

From the foregoing, the operation and advantages of the improved die unit, including its gauge plate will be readily understood. Having selected the desired pattern, the proper fixed die section, as well as the adjustable die section will be attached to the master die base plate 22, and the die placed in the machine. A gauge conforming to the fixed die section will be secured to the master gauge plate 60, and the plate likewise mounted in the machine. Adjustment of the die for a change in size can be effected without removing the die from the machine by means of the crank or handle 49. When it is desired to vary the pattern of ornamentation or marking, without however changing the base pattern, the adjustable die section can be readily removed and a different one substituted there-' for without any replacement in the fixed die section or the gauge. When the basic pattern is to be changed, this can be accomplished by removing the fixed die section and/or the adjustable die section, together with the gauge, and it is only necessary for a manufacturer to keep in stock inserts, i. e., die sections and gauges, and he does not have to replace his master gauge plate nor his master die parts.

In the event that it is necessary or desirable to repair or replace any of the die elements. 1. e., the tubes, cutters, or marking elements, these being all quickly detachable, may be removed and inserted with a minimum of expense, time and labor.

In other words, one complete die unit serves for all sizes and for a wide variety of patterns. Again, the original cost of the master base is the only real cost as replacement or changes in pattern merely require an individual unit.

This die construction permits the use of adjustable dies with a machine having a built in pressure device, and inasmuch as the die is adjustable and the parts interchangeable, a single unit can be used for a plurality of operations without obliging the shoe manufacturers to stock a large number of individual dies of different sizes and patterns. I

All of the advantages of the aforesaid applications are retained, in that the springs for the marker plates are designed primarily to provide merely the requisite pressure for proper printing or marking of the work, without mutilating or otherwise injuring the Work, while at the same time the structure of this invention permits the application of pressure in any desired degree for stripping purposes in a die which is adjustable.

It is to be understood that the particular embodiment of the invention as described herein is intended as illustrative, rather than limiting, and that many modifications within the scope of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art.

For example, the arrangement of the die, and its relation to the machine in which it is to be used may be such as to cut and/or mark upwardly instead of downwardly; the relative movement between the die carriage and the work support may be obtained by moving the die toward a fixed work support; instead of sliding the die laterally into and out of its operative position, the work support itself may slide; if the die is arranged to cut upwardly the work supporting plate may be attached to the die structure by means of a yieldable mounting.

Further, it is contemplated that the fixed die section may be omitted entirely, in the event that it is found desirable to have a single adjustable die section which could be associated on the master base in order to vary the position of the operating portion of the die with respect to the work, and to the machine. All features of the invention are, of course, readily applicable to dies which cut or perforate only, and which are not utilized for marking purposes.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine comprising a base, a plurality of die sections carried by said base, cutting means on at least one of said sections, stripping means associated with said cutting means and mounted for movement relative to said cutting means, marking means, adapted to receive a marking medium and apply same to the work, carried by said stripping means, means engageable with said stripping means constructed and arranged to apply a proper marking pressure only thereto, means engageable with said stripping means and a pressure applying element of the machine effective by said engagement to actuate the stripping means with sufiicient pressure for stripping purposes, one of said die sections being rigidly secured to the base, and another of said sections being mounted on said base for slidable movement relative to said rigid section whereby said die unit may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of work, the section having the cutting and marking mean being detachable as a complete section from said base, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said section to the base.

2. A die unit for use in an ornamentin machine comprising a base, a plurality of die sections carried by said base, one of said sections being rigidly secured to the base, and another of said sections being mounted on said base for sliding movement relative thereto and to said rigidly secured section, whereby said die unit may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of work, one of said sections being provided with marking means adapted to receive a marking medium and apply same to the work, pressure applying means engageable with said marking means constructed and arranged to apply a proper marking pressure only thereto, the die section having marking means being detachable as a complete section from said base, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said section to the base, said markin means being detachable from, its die section, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said marking means to its section.

3. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine comprising a base, a plurality of die sections carried by said base, one of said sections being rigidly secured to the base, and another of said sections being mounted on said base for sliding movement relative thereto and to said rigidly secured section, whereby said die unit may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of Work, one of said sections being provided with marking means adapted to receive a marking medium and apply same to the work, pressure applying means engageable with said marking means constructed and arranged to apply a proper marking pressure only thereto, the die section having marking mean being detachable as a complete section from said base, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said section to the base.

4. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine, comprising a base, a plurality of die sections carried by said base, one of said sections being rigidly secured to the base and another of said sections being mounted on said base for sliding movement relative thereto and to said rigidly secured section, whereby said die unit may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of work, each of said sections having a work marking die member adapted to apply a marking medium to the work, said movable section being detachable with its marking member as a complete section from said base, and said marking members being detachable from their respective sections, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said marking members to their respective sections and to detachably secure said section to the base.

5. A die unit for use in an ornainenting machine, comprising a base, a plurality of die sections carried by said base, one of said sections being rigidly secured to the base and another of said sections being mounted on said base for sliding movement relative thereto and to said rigidlysecured section, whereby said die unit may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of work, said movable section having cutting mean therein, each of said sections having a work marking die member adapted to apply a marking medium to the work, said movable section being detachable as a complete section from said base, said cutting means and said marking members being detachable from their respective sections, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure aid cutting means and marking members to theirrespective sections and to detachably secure said section to the base.

6. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine, comprising a base, a plurality of die sections carried by said base, one of said sections being rididly secured to the base and another of said sections being mounted on said base for sliding movement relative thereto and to said rigidly secured section, whereby said die unit may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of work, said movable section having removable and interchangeable elements, said section being detachable as a complete section from said base, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said section to the base.

7. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine, comprising a base, a plurality of die sections carried by said base, one of said sections being detachably and rigidly secured to the base against movementrelative thereto, and another of said sections being detachably mounted on said base for sliding movement relative thereto and to saidkrigidly secured section, whereby said die unit may be adjusted to accommodate a, variety of Work, each of said sections having removable and interchangeable elements, and each of said sections being detachable as a complete section from said base, and quickly releasable Ikneans to detachably secure said sections to the ase.

8. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine, comprising a base, a plurality of die sections carried by said base, one of said sections being detachably and rigidly secured to the base against movement relative thereto, and another of said sections being detachably mounted on said base for sliding movement relative thereto and to said rigidly secured section, whereby said die unit may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of work,.each of said sections having removable and interchangeable elements, and each of said sections being detachable as a complete section from said base, quickly releasable means to detachably secure said sections to the base, and means to accurately adjust said slidable section to a predetermined position with respect to said fixed section.

9. A die unit for use in an ornamenting ma-'- chine, comprising a base, a sub-base slidably mounted thereon, a die section rigidly secured to .the base against movement relative to said sub-base, a second die section mounted on said sub-:base for sliding movement relative to said rigidly secured section, whereby said die unit may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of work, said movable section being detachable as a complete section from said sub-base, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said section to the sub-base.

10. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine, comprising a base, a plurality of die sections carried by said base, one of said sections being rigidly secured to the base and another of said sections being mounted on said base for sliding movement relative thereto and to said rigidly secured section, whereby said die unit may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of work, said movable section having cutting means therein and being detachable with said cutting means as a complete section from said base, said cutting means also being detachable from said section, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said cutting means to said section and to detachably secure said section to the base.

11. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine, comprising a base, a plurality of die sections carried by said base, one of said sections being rigidly secured to the base, and another of said sections being mounted on said base for movement relative thereto and to said rigidly secured section, whereby said die unit may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of work, at least one of said sections being detachable as a complete section from said base, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said section to the base.

12. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine, comprising a base, a, plurality of die sections carried by said base, one of said sections being rigidly secured to the base, and another of said sections being mounted on said base for movement relative thereto and to said rigidly secured section, whereby said die unit may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of work, at least one of said sections having cutting means therein and being detachable with said cutting means as a completesection from said base, said cutting means also being detachable from said section, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said cutting means to said section, and to detachably secure said section to the base.

13. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine, comprising a base, a plurality of die sections carried by said base, one of said sections being rigidly secured to the base, and another of said sections being mounted on said base for movement relative thereto and to said rigidly secured section, whereby said die unit may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of work, at least one of said sections having a work marking die member adapted to apply a marking medium to the work, said section being detachable with its marking member as'a complete section from said base, and said marking member being detachable from its section, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said marking mem-. her to its section and to detachably secure said section to the base.

14. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine, comprising a base, a plurality of die sections carried by said base, one of said sections being rigidly secured to the base, and another of said sections being mounted on said base for movement relative thereto and to said rigidly secured section, whereby said dieunit may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of work, at least one of said sections having cutting means and a work marking die member adapted to apply a marking medium to the work, said section being detachable with its cutting means and marking member as a complete section from said base, and said cutting means and marking member being detachable from their section, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said cutting means and marking memberto their section, and to detachably secure said section to the .base.

15. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine, comprising a base, a plurality of die sections carried by said base, one of said sections being rigidly secured to the base and another of said sections being mounted on said base for sliding movement relative thereto and to said rigidly secured section, whereby said die unit may be adjusted to accommodate avariety of work, said rigidly secured section being detachable as a complete section from said base, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said section to the base.

16. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine, comprising a base, a sub-base movably mounted thereon, a die section rigidly secured to the sub-base and movable therewith relative to said base whereby said die unit may be adjusted to different positions when said base is secured in the machine, said die section being detachable as a complete section from said subbase, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said section to the sub-base.

17. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine, comprising a base, a sub-base movably mounted thereon, a die section rigidly secured to thesub-base and movable therewith relative to said base whereby said die unit may be adjusted to different positions when said base is secured in the machine, said die section having work treating die elements and being detachable with said elements as a complete section from said sub-base, said elements also being detachable from said section, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said elements to said section and to detachably secure said section to the sub-base.

18. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine comprising a base, a plurality of die sections carried by said base, cutting means on at least one of said sections, stripping means associated with said cutting means and mounted for movement relative to said cutting means, means engageable with said stripping means and with a pressure applying element of the machine efiective by such engagement to actuate the stripping means, one of said sections being rigidly secured to the base, and another of said sections being mounted on said base for sliding movement relative to said rigid section, whereby said die unit may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of work, the section having cutting means being detachable with the cutting means as a complete section from said base, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said section to the base.

19. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine comprising a base, a plurality of die sections carried by said base, cutting means on at least one of said sections, stripping means associated with said cutting means and mounted on said section for movement relative to said cutting means, means engageable with said stripping means and with a pressure applying element of the machine effective by such engagement to actuate the stripping means, one of said sections being rigidly secured to the base, and another of said sections being mounted on said base for sliding movement relative to said rigid section, whereby said die unit may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of work, the section having cutting means being detachable with the cutting and stripping means as a complete section from said base, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said section to the base, said cutting and stripping means each being quickly detachable from their section.

20. A die unit for use in an ornamenting machine, comprising a base, a sub-base movably mounted thereon, a die section rigidly secured to said sub-base and movable therewith relative to said base whereby said die unit may be adjusted to difierent positions when said base is secured in the machine, cutting means on said section, stripping means associated with said cutting means and mounted for movement relative to said cutting means, means engageable with said stripping means and with a pressure applying element of the machine, effective by such engagement to actuate the stripping means, said base and sub-base having perforations cooperative with each other in all positions of adjustment for passage of said engaging means through the die unit to engagement with the pressure applying element of the machine, said die section being detachable with said cutting means as a complete section from said sub-base, and quickly releasable means to detachably secure said section to the sub-base.

LOUIS G. FREEMAN, JR. 

